Cilicia was conquered sometime in the 540's BC by Cyrus the Great. Under the Persian empire Cilicia was apparently governed by tributary native kings who bore a Hellenized name or the title of "Syennesis", but it was officially included in the fourth satrapy by Darius.
A vassal king had to pay a tribute of 360 horses and 500 talents of silver, according to Herodotus.
Xenophon found a queen in power, and no opposition was offered to the march of Cyrus the Younger.
A vassal king had to pay a tribute of 360 horses and 500 talents of silver, according to Herodotus.
Xenophon found a queen in power, and no opposition was offered to the march of Cyrus the Younger.
(1)
Cilician Satrapy
Obverse: Female head facing left, wearing wreath of reeds, earring and necklace
Reverse: Female head (Aphrodite?) facing forwards, wearing stephane (headdress) and necklace
Diameter:
11 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 0.77 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 0.77 g
Obverse head is in the style of the dekadrachms of Syracuse of circa 405-370 BC. Unfortunate damage to the facing head on the reverse of the coin.
Imhoof-Blumer 1
An
AR
Tetartemorion
struck 400-350 BC
in
Tarsos?
Obverse: king with bow and dagger right
Reverse: head of Hermes left, wearing petasos
Diameter:
4.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 0.2 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 0.2 g
uncertain satrap
ex Lanz 151-512, ex Pecunem 23-447
Troxell & Kagan –; SNG France –; SNG Levante –; cf. CNG EA, 295, 263., Helios Numismatik, Auktion 5, 25. Juni 2010, Nr. 110.
(3)
Mazaios
Obverse: Baal seated left, holding grapes, grain ear, and sceptre
Reverse: lion attacking stag left
Diameter:
10 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 0.7 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 0.7 g
No notes for this coin
Casabonne Series 1; SNG France 329; SNG Levante 112; Sunrise 64
(4)
Mazaios
Obverse: Baal seated left, holding sceptre; B'LTRZ // T in Aramaic
Reverse: lion bringing down bull left, attacking with teeth and claws; MZDI in Aramaic
Diameter:
23 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 10.9 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 10.9 g
No notes for this coin
cf. Casabonne series 2, group A; cf. SNG France 346; cf. SNG Levante 100–1
(5)
Tarsos
Obverse: Head of Nymph? facing slightly left wearing earrings and necklace
Reverse: Bearded head of Ares? left wearing crested Attic style helmet
Diameter:
9 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 0.8 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 0.8 g
Satraps Datames or Pharnabazos
SNG France 303ff var.; SNG Levante 93